Steven Dennis Gratias

Steven "Steve" Dennis Gratias, 76, of Perkasie, PA, formerly of Allentown, PA, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. He was the beloved husband of Sandra "Sandi" (Werner) Gratias, with whom he shared 52 years of marriage. Born in Sellersville, PA, Steven was the son of the late Victor and Eleanor (High) Gratias. A 1967 graduate of Pennridge High School, Steve went on to study at Muhlenberg College (Class of 1971) and earned a master's degree from Lehigh University in 1975. Steve began his career teaching trumpet and piano at the former Fretz Music Center in Souderton. He later served as an Educational Counselor at the State Correctional Institution – Graterford in Skippack Township, dedicating 26 years to guiding and mentoring others before retiring in 2004. Following retirement, Steve pursued a lifelong calling and became an ordained interfaith minister through the Circle of Miracles Church & School of Ministries in New Britain. He continued to serve the Bucks and Montgomery County communities with compassion and care. A devoted member of the former St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Dublin, Steven was active in many roles - including church council member, choir singer, and youth advisor. He also volunteered with Healthy Community, Healthy Youth in Doylestown. Steve was a longtime member and former director of the Pennridge Cluster Choir in Perkasie, and a member of the Camerata Singers in Allentown. He was instrumental in helping resettle two refugee families and was known for his extensive collection of world instruments, which he regularly showcased at the Sellersville Museum and North Penn High School's International Festival. A passionate traveler, Steve explored all 50 U.S. states with his family and cherished a memorable journey to Madagascar. He also looked forward to annual family vacations in Ocean City, NJ, a tradition he held dear. He loved playing and teaching music, attending brass concerts, vegetable gardening, grilling, reading non-fiction, and watching Westerns, Phillies baseball, and Eagles football. He enjoyed spending time with his cats-Johnny, Daisy, and Danny-and hosting family and friends in his warm, welcoming home. Steve will be remembered for his deep integrity, warm hugs, witty puns, open heart, curiosity, and the way he made others feel seen, heard, and accepted. In addition to his wife, Sandi, he is survived by his daughter, April Gratias, and her fiancé, Matthew Sherer, of Bethlehem, PA. A viewing will be held on Thursday, September 4, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM at Peace Tohickon Lutheran Church, 100 Old Bethlehem Rd, Perkasie, PA 18944. A funeral service will follow at 10:30 AM. Interment will be at St. Luke's Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Steve's name may be made to: Pearl S. Buck International, 520 Dublin Road, Perkasie, PA 18944 https://pearlsbuck.org or ChildFund International, P.O. Box 1911, Merrifield, VA 22116-1911 https://www.childfund.org. Arrangements are by Anders-Detweiler Funeral Home & Crematory, Souderton, PA. To share condolences online, please visit www.andersfh.com.